Abutment for dental implant and associated components for use therewith

ABSTRACT

An abutment ( 10,10 A, 10 B, 10 C) for a medical or dental implant has a prosthetic receiving tapered post formed with a locking step ( 10   e ) for removably restraining a sleeve member such as an emergence cuff ( 12,12 A). The emergence cuff is receivable on the post of the abutment and has an outer surface configuration which merges confluently with the abutment outer surface. The emergence cuff is formed with a snap on interface ( 12   g ) for use with a second sleeve ( 14,14 A) having a complimentary snap on interface ( 14   e ). When the second sleeve is open ended, a pin ( 16 ) is shown for closing off the outer end of the second sleeve, if desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Benifit is claimed of Prov. Appl. No. 60/232,522, filed Sep. 14,2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to dental or medical prostheticimplants and more particularly to abutments used with dental implantsand associated components used in implant procedures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is known to place an annular cuff formed of suitablebiocompatible material on a permanent abutment member at the time theabutment is mounted on the root member and the gum tissue is thensutured over the cuff and abutment member and allowed to heal, as taughtin U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,731, assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. After sufficient healing the cuff can be removed leaving asulcus having a predetermined, optimized shape. The cuff can be formedwith an inwardly extending, circumferential lip for placement onto theundercut of the abutment to provide a positive seat for the cuff.

[0004] An object of the invention is the provision of a lockingmechanism for retention of a first sleeve on an abutment, the sleevehaving an outer surface smoothly confluent with the outer surface of theabutment. Another object is the provision of a second sleeve, the firstand second sleeves having an interface for locking on to each other. Yetanother object of the invention is the provision of a second sleevehaving a feature for interlocking with other dental materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, an abutment system made in accordance with the inventionincludes an abutment having several versions with various taper post orscrew diameters for mounting in a root member, gingival radii, margins,abutment post diameters and abutment post heights. Each abutment posthas a retention feature for retaining or locking a member, for example,an emergence cuff or wax-up sleeve. The abutments are formed ofbiocompatible material such as titanium alloy or ultra-high densitypolyethylene.

[0006] The emergence cuff or first sleeve member, formed of suitablematerial, such as plastic, is similar to that shown and described in theabove mentioned US patent, but adapted for use with the retentivefeature of the abutments and provided with an interface for an optionalsecond sleeve member. The second sleeve member, also formed of suitablematerial, such as plastic, ceramic or metal, snaps onto the first sleevemember and can be used, for example, in making impressions, particularlywhen provided with an undercut for retention of the second sleeve inimpression material.

[0007] A sleeve pin, formed of suitable material, such as metal,plastic, ceramic or composite material, can be used for snapping ontothe occlusal end of the second sleeve member or used as a one piecesleeve to provide an outer profile for such purposes as impressionmaking, a waxing sleeve, a corrective coping, a jig or for prostheticfabrication for contouring of the soft tissues and stabilizing of theimplant during healing. The pin can be used to temporarily close thesleeve opening and extend the height of the sleeve. A one or two piecesleeve member can have multiple uses, such as: for making impressions,fabricating crowns, modifying abutments and recording relationships,both intra-orally as well as in a laboratory setting. The sleeve member,for example, could actually have the morphology of a tooth, such that itcould provide the basis for the transition or final medical or dentalprosthesis with specific additions or deletions for a particularrestoration.

[0008] Additional objects and features of the invention will be setforth in part in the description which follows and in part will beobvious from the description. The objects and advantages of theinvention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, combinations and methods particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodimentsof the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In thedrawings:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of a straight abutment having a firstnominal diameter root mounting post and FIG. 1a is a right end viewthereof;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a straight abutment having a second,smaller, nominal diameter root mounting post and FIG. 2a is a right endview thereof;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a front view of an angled abutment having the secondnominal diameter root mounting post and FIG. 3a is a right end viewthereof;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of a long angled abutment having the secondnominal diameter root mounting post and FIG. 4a is a right end viewthereof;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross section taken through an emergencecuff or first sleeve member and FIG. 5a is a left end view thereof;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken through anotheremergence cuff or first sleeve member and FIG. 6a is a left end viewthereof;

[0016]FIG. 7 is a front view, partly in cross section, of a secondsleeve receivable on the first sleeve, FIG. 7a is a left end viewthereof, FIG. 7b is a right end view thereof and FIG. 7c is an enlarged,broken away portion of FIG. 7;

[0017]FIG. 8 is another front view of a second sleeve showing details ofa cut away portion for locking with impression material;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a front view of a pin receivable in the outer end of thesecond sleeve member shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and FIG. 9a is a left sideview thereof; and

[0019]FIG. 10 is a front view of an abutment made in accordance with theinvention with both a first and second sleeve, shown partly in crosssection and partly in dashed lines, received and removably locked ontothe abutment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1, 1a, abutment 10 is shown having alocking tapered post for receipt in an implant or root member (notshown) having a post receiving bore formed with a complimentary lockingtaper, a basal or central portion 10 b and a post 10 c for mounting of acrown or the like, Post portion 10 c is preferably formed with one ormore anti rotational flats 10 d and with a stepped locking portion 10 efor removable retention of a sleeve member to be described below.Stepped portion 10 e can be formed to extend completely around thecircumference or, if desired, along a portion thereof, such as along theradiused portions of the circumference, as shown.

[0021] Abutments can be made with implant receiving posts 10 a of thesame locking taper but of different lengths, diameters, angles andcontours joining the respective basal potion as shown by way of examplein FIGS. 1-4. The implant receiving posts 10,10A,10B, and 10C ofabutments 10Aa,10Ba and 10Ca, respectively are of a smaller diameterthan post 10 a. Posts 10Ba and 10Ca are both angled, such as at an anglealpha, relative to the crown receiving posts 10Bc,10Cc respectively foruse in a locus in which the implant is placed calling for suchorientation. The crown receiving posts 10 c,10Ac, 10Bc and 10Cc are allformed with the same outer configuration including the generallyfrustoconical foot portion 10 f, although their lengths can be varied asshown by elongated post 10Ac of FIG. 2. Abutments made in accordancewith the invention had crown receiving foot portions having a largediameter “a” of 0.0205 mm and a small diameter “b” of 0.158 mm and crownreceiving posts formed with a taper of 6 degrees 34 minutes with step 10e having a diameter for the inner or inboard side (the side closest tothe central portion) of between 0.117 and 0.121 mm and the outer oroutboard side (the side furthest from the central portion) of between0.123 and 0.125 mm.

[0022]FIGS. 5, 5a, 6 and 6 a show two forms of emergence cuffs or firstsleeve members 12 and 12A having a tapered bore 12 a of a size andconfiguration essentially matching that of the crown receiving posts ofthe abutments described above, including foot portion 12 f and flats 12d. The smaller diameter “c” of bore 12 a is selected to be slightlysmaller than the diameter on the inboard side of step portion 10 e, thatis, with respect to the specific examples of abutments disclosed above,diameter “c” was selected to be between 0.122 and 0.124 mm so that whenplaced on the crown receiving post of an abutment made in accordancewith the invention the emergence cuff will snap over step portion 10 efor removable retention on the post and with foot portion 12 f of theemergence cuff received on foot portion 10 f of the abutment. The outerconfiguration 12 b,12Ab,12Bb and 12Cb of the respective emergence cuffs12,12A can be varied as appropriate relative to the desired sulcusprofile but preferably will form a smooth-confluent surface with theouter configuration of basal portion 10 b,10Ab,10Bb and 10Cb of therespective abutment.

[0023] The outer end of the emergence cuff, that is, the end oppositefoot portion 12 f may be formed, if desired, with a snap on interface 12g for use with a second sleeve member to be described below. Interface12 g comprises a hub portion including a circumferentially extendinggroove 12 h having a selected width 12 k with a radially extendingflange 12 m defining the groove on the coronal side of the emergencecuff. Flange 12 m has a reduced outer diameter relative to the coronalend portion of outer surface portion 12 b,12Ab on the other side ofgroove 12 h for receipt in an opening in a second sleeve member to bedescribed. A chamfered surface 12 n is formed on the flange at the outerface for a purpose to be described. Preferably, the flange is formedwith anti rotational flats 12 o for inter engagement with correspondinganti rotational flats on the second sleeve member. The overall length ofemergence cuffs 12,12A is selected so that when seated on foot 10 f ofan abutment made in accordance with the invention, the coronal end 12 pwill be disposed on the inboard side of step 10 e.

[0024] A second sleeve member 14 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a-7 c andpreferably comprises a generally frustoconical shaped outer bodyconfiguration 14 a having a first longitudinally extending bore portion14 b which essentially forms a continuation of the bore of the emergencecuff with which the second sleeve member is used and a secondlongitudinally extending bore portion 14 c, preferably having a constantdiameter. Interface 14 g comprises a recessed flange receiving seat 14 dat the inner or larger diameter end having a longitudinally extendingwidth 14 e and a diameter 14 f. The mouth of the flange receiving seatis formed with a bevel having a diameter ranging from the inner end faceof sleeve 14 at 14 h to a smaller diameter 14 i inboard a selectedlongitudinal distance 14 k, forming a lip 14 r. An oppositely angledbevel leads from the lip, i.e., from diameter 14 i to the flange seatdiameter over a longitudinal distance 14 m.

[0025] Second sleeve 14 is attached to emergence cuff 12 by placing thebeveled portion 14 k onto flange 12 m, the outer diameter of flange 12 mpreferably being intermediate to diameters 14 h, and slightly less thandiameter 14 f of flange seat 14 d. The second sleeve is pushed onto theemergence cuff until flange 12 m snaps beyond the smaller diameterportion 14 i. The longitudinal width of flange 12 k is less than thelongitudinal width of flange seat 14 d and the longitudinal width ofgroove 12 k is selected so that coronal end face 12 s of the emergencecuff and the inner end face of sleeve 14 butt up against each other andthe grooved portion extends over the two beveled portions. The flangeseat 14 d is also formed with anti rotational flats 14 o which cooperatewith corresponding flats 12 o of the emergence cuff. As seen in FIG. 7b,second sleeve 14 is also formed with squared off ear portions 14 t forhandling. When used for interlocking with impression material the secondsleeve can be formed with an undercut 14 u as shown in sleeve 14A inFIG. 8. By way of example, emergence cuffs and second sleeve membersmade in accordance with the invention had the following dimensionsrelating to the snap on interface:

[0026] Emergence cuff 12,12A:

[0027] outer diameter of flange 12 m: 0.170/0.169 mm

[0028] diameter on inner surface of groove 12 h: 0.150 mm

[0029] longitudinal distance 12 k of groove: 0.018 mm

[0030] longitudinal width of flange 12 r: 0.015 mm

[0031] Second sleeve member 14,14A:

[0032] diameter 14 f of flange seat: 0.171/0.172 mm

[0033] longitudinal width 14 e of flange seat 14 d: 0.021/0.018 mm

[0034] diameter 14 h at mouth of flange seat: 0.173/0.174 mm

[0035] diameter 14 i at inner end of outer bevel (lip 14 r): 0.167/0.168mm

[0036] longitudinal distance 14 k of outer bevel: 0.010 mm

[0037] longitudinal distance 14 m of inner bevel: 0.004 mm

[0038] diameter of bore portion 14 c: 0.100 mm

[0039]FIGS. 9 and 9a show a pin 16 having a body portion 16 a and a head16 b with the body portion having a diameter selected to fit in bore 14c at the coronal end of second sleeve 14,14A to close off the secondsleeve when desired. For the second sleeve member examples describedabove, the diameter of body portion 16 b is selected as 0.100 mm,preferably with a distal free end having a radially extending bead witha diameter 16 c of 0.102 mm beveled down to a diameter 16 d of 0.090 mm.The diameter 16 e of head 16 b can be selected to be slightly largerthan the outer end of second sleeve 14,14A, if desired. It will beunderstood that the second sleeve can be formed open ended, as describedabove, or it could be preformed with a closed end.

[0040]FIG. 10 shows an abutment 10 with an emergence cuff or firstsleeve member 12 snapped thereon and with a second sleeve member 14snapped on to the emergence cuff. The outer configuration of the secondsleeve can be formed as shown forming a step with the emergence cuff orit could be formed to merge confluently with the emergence cuff, asdesired. The abutment is typically formed of titanium or titanium alloyor it could be formed of ultra-high polyethylene or the like when usedas a transitional healing abutment while the sleeve members can beformed of metal, plastic or ceramic material, such as: polycarbonate,polyceramic, acrylic, composite, aluminum oxide, polyglass or any othersuitably biocompatible material.

[0041] The emergence cuff, as noted above, can be used in the same wayas that of the above referenced patent. For example, the emergence cuffcould form a portion of a temporary crown or, along with the secondsleeve member, could serve as an impression post, particularly with theundercut 14 u of FIG. 8 so that it would be locked to and withdrawn withimpression medium. The emergence cuff facilitates placement of thecrown/abutment interface below the gingiva for various depths ofgingival tissue existing above the abutment/implant interface.

[0042] The second sleeve member, or a one piece sleeve member, ismultifuntional, including such functions as facilitating temporizationof a fabricated dental or medical prosthesis, recording the geometry ofthe position of the abutment, actually being incorporated into a dentalor medical prosthesis, temporary or permanent, and can be used as atemplate or jig, or as an abutment to contour the soft tissues or tostabilize the healing implant. The sleeve members can be of variousheights and shapes, such as an elliptical shape to replicate a fronttooth. The sleeve member can be closed-in and can be readily modifiedfor various clinical situations. The sleeve member may have essentiallythe same size and shape of a tooth, thus only requiring somemodification for a specific clinical situation. It will be understoodthat for elongated, one piece sleeve members the internal bore would beformed with suitable retention means for interengaging with step portion10 e of the crown reciving post of the abutment, such as a step portionhaving a mirror image of step portion 10 e being located in the bore ofthe sleeve member at a position selected so that when the sleeve memberis seated on the abutment, the mirror image step would interengage withstep portion 10 e in the same manner that the end portion of emergencecuffs 12, 12A, defined by diameter “c” of the respective emergence cuff,interengages with step portion 10 e.

[0043] Although the invention has been described with regard to specificpreferred embodiments thereof, variations and modifications will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. It will be understood thatalthough the emergence cuffs are described above as being removablyretained by step portion 10 e, when permanent retention of a sleevemember is desired, for example, when used as a prosthetic crown or thelike as mentioned above, the member can be permanently attached byaugmenting the attachment by cementing or otherwise suitably bonding themember to the crown receiving post of the abutment. It is therefore, theintention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possiblein view of the prior art to include all such variations andmodifications.

What is claimed:
 1. An abutment for use with an implant placed in a boneof a patient comprising a mounting portion for receipt in an implant, acentral portion having a smoothly curved outer surface and a prostheticmounting post extending from the central portion, the post beinggenerally cylindrical and tapered with a decreasing circumference as thedistance from the central portion increases, the post having an inboardside at the central portion and an outboard side at a distal free end ofthe post, the post formed with a locking step of increased circumferenceon the outboard side of the step relative to the circumference on theinboard side of the step, the step being formed at a given distance fromthe central portion.
 2. An abutment member according to claim 1 in whichthe mounting post is formed with at least one anti rotational flat onthe outer periphery thereof.
 3. An abutment according to claim 1 inwhich the mounting portion comprises a post formed with a locking taperfor receipt in the bore of an implant having a matching locking taper.4. An abutment according to claim 1 in which the mounting portioncomprises a post formed with a thread for threaded engagement with acorresponding thread in the bore of an implant.
 5. An abutment accordingto claim 1 in which the locking step extends over only a portion of thecircumference of the mounting post.
 6. An abutment according to claim 2in which the locking step extends over the cylindrical portion of themounting post.
 7. An abutment according to claim 1 further comprising asleeve member having first and second ends formed with a bore extendingfrom the first to the second end, the bore formed with a taper generallymatching that of the prosthetic mounting post and with the first endreceivable on the central portion of the abutment, the sleeve memberhaving a distance selected from the first to the second ends so that thesecond end is disposed closely adjacent the locking step on the inboardside of the mounting post when the first end of the sleeve member isreceived on the central portion of the abutment and the bore of thesleeve member at the second end having a circumference matching that ofthe mounting post at the inboard side of the step.
 8. An abutmentaccording to claim 7 in which the mounting post is formed with at leastone anti rotational flat on the outer periphery thereof and the bore ofthe sleeve member is formed with a matching anti rotational flat.
 9. Anabutment according to claim 7 in which the central portion of theabutment is formed with a frustoconical shaped foot portion and thefirst end of the sleeve member is formed with a complimentary shapedfoot portion which leads into the bore of the sleeve member and theouter surface of the sleeve member forms a smooth curved surface whichmerges confluently with the outer surface of the abutment member.
 10. Anabutment according to claim 9 in which the outer surfaces of the centralportion and the sleeve member are convex.
 11. An abutment memberaccording to claim 7 in which at least a portion of the bore at thesecond end of the sleeve member is circular having a selected diameterand at least a portion of the circumference of the prosthetic mountingpost is circular with a diameter of the inboard side of the locking stepbeing slightly smaller than the selected diameter and the diameter ofthe outboard side of the locking step being slightly larger than theselected diameter.
 12. An abutment according to claim 11 in which thedifference in the selected diameter and the inboard and outboarddiameters is in the range of a approximately two to eight hundredthousandths mm.
 13. An abutment according to claim 7 in which at least aportion of the bore at the second end of the sleeve member is circularhaving a diameter of between approximately 0.122 and 0.124 mm and atleast a portion of the circumference of the prosthetic mounting post iscircular with a diameter at the inboard side of the locking step ofbetween approximately 0.117 and 0.121 mm and at the outboard side of thelocking step of between approximately 0.123 and 0.125 mm.
 14. Anabutment according to claim 7 in which the second end of the sleevemember is formed with a locking interface for a second sleeve member.15. An abutment according to claim 14 in which the sleeve member has asmooth outer surface configuration and a second end face and having aselected circumference at the second end face of the sleeve member andthe locking interface comprises a longitudinally extending hub extendingfrom the second end face of the sleeve member, the hub having acircumferentially extending groove between the second end face and aradially extending flange, the radially extending flange having acircumference less than the circumference of the outer surfaceconfiguration at the second end face and further comprising a secondsleeve member having first and second ends, the first end formed with aflange receiving recess having a configuration complimentary to theflange and a lip being formed between the flange receiving recess andthe first end of the second sleeve member, the lip having a dimensionselected to create an interference fit with the flange.
 16. An abutmentaccording to claim 15 in which the flange is formed with a bevel on theside of the flange opposed to the groove to facilitate placement of theflange in the flange receiving recess.
 17. An abutment according toclaim 15 in which the first end of the second sleeve is formed with abevel leading to the lip and another bevel is formed extending from thelip to the flange receiving recess.
 18. An abutment according to claim15 in which the second sleeve is formed with a bore extendingtherethrough and further comprising a pin having an elongated bodyhaving a configuration to closely fit in the bore of the second sleevemember to close the bore of the second sleeve member.
 19. An abutmentmember according to claim 15 in which the second sleeve member has anouter surface configuration formed with an undercut portion to provide alocking mechanism.
 20. An abutment according to claim 7 in which thesleeve member has an outer morphology corresponding to a selected toothwhereby the sleeve member can be modified to accommodate a specificclinical situation.